Cleveland has No. 1 pick, but with young nucleus, also wants veteran

For the Cavaliers, it is impossible to overstate the importance of the next 10 days in the development of the franchise. They are the owners of the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second time in three years, but what lies ahead for the team’s decision-makers—primarily general manager Chris Grant, coach Mike Brown and owner Dan Gilbert—is an opportunity to transform youth and promise into actual results and a playoff spot for the first time since Cleveland lost LeBron James in free agency in 2010.

The Cavaliers’ overall plan is clear: add a limited amount of youth in the draft, utilize cap space to absorb a veteran contract and fill out the roster with quality role players who have experience but are still on the young side.

DRAFT PICKS

The Cavaliers have four players—Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and Tyler Zeller—who were picked in the Top 17 in the last two years. They have No. 1 and 19 in this draft, and don’t necessarily want to add two rookies to this already young mix.

The Cavaliers have fielded offers—and made offers—involving the No. 1 pick. “I wouldn’t say they’re aggressively shopping the pick,” one general manager said. “But it’s been out there. They want a lot for it, in terms of at least one guy now, a good, starter-type player, and future picks, too.”

Assuming the Cavs keep the pick, most executives have Kentucky’s Nerlens Noel at the top of this draft, and while Noel is coming off knee surgery, that’s not what scares the Cavs—he is the most talented player in this draft, but Noel weighed in at just 206 pounds at the Chicago predraft combine. The injury has drained some weight, and Noel says he will add bulk when healthy. But there are doubts that he can be strong enough to play center in the NBA.

If Noel is bumped, the Cavs are expected to choose between Maryland center Alex Len and Georgetown small forward Otto Porter. Porter is the more polished and talented player, and the Cavs have a need for a small forward. But the position is much easier to address in free agency or in a trade. That’s why Len, who has proven he is solid defensively and has more offensive ability than he was able to show at Maryland, is gaining traction at No. 1. The Cavaliers could (as they did last year) look to trade Anderson Varejao during the season.

As for No. 19, the Cavs have discussed a deal for that pick with multiple teams. If the Cavaliers can’t find a taker, and assuming they use the first pick themselves, they could use this pick on an international player, such as Greece’s Giannis Adetokunbo or Russian guard Sergey Karasev.

The Cavs want to turn the page from developing rookies to winning, so it’s unlikely they bring in two first-round picks next year.

CAP SPACE

Cleveland will have in the neighborhood of $20 million in cap space this summer, and though the team is on the rise, having the first pick in such an uncertain draft doesn’t mean free agents will clamor to go to the Cavaliers.

That’s something I asked Gilbert recently. “We said all along, after we had a reset three years ago, that we’re going to build this thing primarily through the draft, No. 1,” Gilbert said. “Trading would always be an option for us, and then of course, free agency is your third way of getting players. We do see a role for free agency, but we said, look, to build us the kind of core we want to build, we want to focus on drafting a handful of very strong, talented, good people, build the franchise around them and then buffer them with (free agents).”

Having cap space in an environment in which teams are looking to cut payroll can act as a type of coerced free agency, in which a team can give up space for a player. Because the Cavaliers are under the cap, they can accept a deal for a waning star, with the other team getting cap room and a trade exception.

Cleveland wants a veteran upgrade at small forward, that’s why three players who have been connected with the team in rumors are Dallas’ Shawn Marion, Indiana’s Danny Granger and Boston’s Paul Pierce. Of the three, Pierce has been the subject of the most credible talks, because Boston could then use the resulting trade exception to chase Atlanta free agent Josh Smith.

FREE AGENTS

The Cavaliers will have decisions to make on their own free agents. For a team that shot 34.6 percent from the 3-point line, picking up the option on Wayne Ellington (career 38.2 from the arc) is a no-brainer. They could also pick up the option on guard C.J. Miles, but Omri Casspi (team option) and forward Marreese Speights (player option) will be unrestricted free agents.

Cleveland’s top priority in free agency will be bolstering the power forward spot, where Speights’ price will be too high. One of their top targets to fill the spot, a source said, is the Lakers’ Earl Clark, who played well last year (7.3 points and 5.5 rebounds) after a stint in China and would be interested in signing with Cleveland. Clark earned $1.2 million last year.

The Cavaliers also need to add a backup point guard, and they were pleased enough with the play of Shaun Livingston to warrant bringing him back, should his price not be overwhelming. Jarrett Jack would be an ideal fit, but his price also will be too high. The Cavs could get some good value, though, out of the likes of C.J. Watson or Darren Collison.

When all is settled, the Cavs expect to have the right mix of youth and veterans to put themselves in line for a return to the playoffs. Certainly, the opportunity is there.